History

Having officially been dubbed as Canada's most beautiful village and with more designated heritage buildings than any other Ontario community of like size, Merrickville is a unique and vibrant Victorian village. Idyllically situated along the historic Rideau Canal, less than an hours drive from both Ottawa, the nation's capital, and the U.S.-Canada border, Merrickville loves to celebrate its history and culture and heartily invites everyone to join in!

In 1791 the local land board being satisfied of his loyalty and good character granted 200 acres along the Rideau River to United Empire Loyalist William Merrick, a resident of the colony of New York when the American Revolution was underway. With the water power offered by the Rideau and the resourcefulness of the Merrick family and other entrepreneurs, Merrickville was soon thriving. The 1832 opening of the Rideau Canal, built as a safe route to transport goods to Canada's capital, further enhanced development. At one time over 50 water-powered industries, including a grist mill, sawmill, tannery, cheese factory, creamery, blacksmith and ironworks shops, and textile and woolen mills dotted the shoreline of the Rideau.

Today only the malleable ironworks factory remains.  Now known as Village Metalsmiths, it is Upper Canada's oldest operating foundry. Adjacent to it, preserved in a park-like setting, stand the preserved symbolic ruins of the other past industries. A Parks Canada industrial exhibit details the actual location of the former businesses. While Merrickville's historic complex is gone, a visit to the ruins leaves many visitors convinced they can hear the ringing of the village blacksmith's hammer and the swoosh of a waterwheel. And a stroll through the village leaves you feeling that not much has changed here since the late, great Queen Victoria began her reign.

Homes built by the Merricks provide lodging for 21st century village families. The three-storey, turreted triple-brick home (c. 1858), of W.H. Magee, one of Merrickville's iron founders, returned to its original splendour, is now a popular bed and breakfast establishment. The grand home built in 1861 for Sam Jakes, one of Merrickville's prominent 19th century entrepreneurs and merchants, refurbished and expanded is now Sam Jakes Inn, a four-star country inn and spa. Next to the Inn is the Jakes' Block which local folklore maintains once was the biggest department store between Chicago and Montreal, now houses a pub, elegant restaurant and ballroom. Still sturdy and stylish stone houses, Victorian homes adorn with gingerbread and welcoming wraparound verandahs and restored commercial establishments.  Over 100 heritage and historic properties still line the village streets. Meticulously preserved these buildings not only reflect the era in which they were built, but the character of the people who built, worked and lived in them and those who lovingly restored them. And overlooking the Rideau Canal stands the Merrickville Blockhouse. The Blockhouse, the largest on the Rideau, like the Canal itself was built after the War of 1812. With its four-foot thick stone walls, cannon portholes and gunports, it reassured settlers of protection in the event of an enemy attack. Now a museum, the Blockhouse still guards the village and the Rideau Canal . A symbol of Merrickville's vivid heritage and history. And, still an anchor and magnet in historic Merrickville, the Jewel of the Rideau.